Interruption of pregnancy by prostaglandin 15-methyl F2alpha.

The current study was formulated to investigate the abortifacient activity of prostaglandin 15-methyl F2alpha (15-methyl PGF2alpha) administered intramuscularly to 80 healthy women with gestations between 8 and 22 weeks. Goals were the establishment of an effective dosage schedule and assessment of the incidence and severity of side effects. All 80 gravidas were aborted, with a mean time to abortion of 15.70 hours (SD, 6.52). Gastrointestinal side effects occurred in 89% of the patients; temperature elevations greater than or equal to 100.6 degrees F were noted in 14 cases. No other significant complications were encountered. Transabdominal intra-amniotic pressure monitoring indicated the need to administer the drug at 2-hour intervals. The 15-methyl PGF2alpha patients were matched for parity and gestational length with 80 gravidas aborted with PGE2 20-mg vaginal suppositories. The difference in interval to abortion in the two groups was not statistically significant. While gastrointestinal side effects were more common with 15-methyl PGF2alpha, the frequency of drug-induced temperature elevations was reduced.